Kariega Game Reserve - Ukhozi Lodge

This was one of the most amazing experiences I had in my life and I would highly recommend. One piece of information I wish we had known before arriving. 1) Checkin time is 2 pm and this is exactly the tone they serve lunch . We had eaten before we arrived- but they were expecting us to eat . 2. We did our first game drive at 3:30 pm on the day we arrived. I only had a light Hoodie we stayed out till the sunset then drove back in the dark It was much cooler than we expected. They do offer blankets and ponchos which is helpful, but the next day I took my raincoat as a second layer as well as my Hoodie and I felt so much better 3. You you have a set routine for your stay which includes times of the game drives and meals. There are two game drives a day one in the morning and one in the afternoon. You have the same guide throughout your stay and the same group of people which is quite nice as a camaraderie builds up. We had a variety of nationalities from German swish Australian and us from the UK. The staff are exceptional from the moment you walk in the door to the moment you leave you feel welcome and very looked after. Our game host was called Melissa. She was an exceptionally safe driver also very confident and decisive in every situation. We saw lots of animals everything that you’d want to. She asked us what we wanted to see. We also did River Cruise as part of one of our game drives. The Lodge itself was incredibly luxurious and beautiful with an amazing view.

"I can't say enough great things about our unforgettable stay at this game reserve in South Africa. The service was truly top-notch, with guides who were not only knowledgeable but also passionate about what they do. The food was absolutely fabulous, and the special touch of having our room decorated upon arrival for our elopement was beyond thoughtful. We were thrilled to witness all the animals up close, making our experience truly magical and perfect in every way. If you're looking for a remarkable safari adventure with impeccable hospitality, this is the place to be. Highly recommended!"

Wonderful place, people, animals. Fantastic experience. We were blown away by our time here. Our guide Melissa was excellent — considerate both of the guests and of the animals we saw / interacted with. We saw elephants, lions, white rhinos, hippos, buffalo, cheetah, giraffe, ostrich and many kinds of deer / antelope birds. In most cases, we came within 1-3 meters of the animals; we would often position in their path / vicinity, and they would walk up to and past us as they went on their way. They seemed very comfortable with us in the vehicles, even though they’re obviously still wild. (Although it’s a private reserve, the animals feed themselves off the land / each other. Note that some of the animals, such as giraffe, are not strictly native to this region but seem to be thriving.) Melissa taught us a lot about the animals, their behaviours and interactions with each other. She paced the drives well, so we had quiet time to just appreciate sights and sounds; as well as “missions”, when she wanted to get us close to a particular set of animals that she knew were in good position. Room and facilities were also outstanding. Food and alcohol, included in price, were solid.